Please send me information on momentous events in the family at kmacc@carolina.rr.com
Thursday, December 23, 2010
New Family Member
Please send me information on momentous events in the family at kmacc@carolina.rr.com
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
You'd Better Watch Out
The following story was written by Kent Bernhardt for the Salisbury Post and since he published it for all to read I'm trusting he won't mind if we share it with the family. Of course, if we have to pay him scale, we're deep into the family treasury. Kent is the son of Clifford Jr. and Marion Bernhardt, grandson of Clifford and Allieree Bernhardt, and great grandson of George and Ida Bernhardt.
In the late fifties and early sixties, I believed in Santa Claus. I didn't care what my friend Randy said.
Randy, the town bully, constantly tried to convince us that we had all been duped. There was no Santa Claus. It was a conspiracy concocted by the government to drive the economy, nothing more.
Randy's rants fell on deaf ears. First of all, I didn't know what a conspiracy was, so why listen to the rest? Besides, Randy was the same guy who stripped down to his underwear and took a bath in poison ivy to prove that he was immune to it.
Like I cared what this guy thought.
I had seen Santa with my own eyes. He came to the Faith American Legion Building just before every Christmas on the Faith fire truck. We would stand there in the cold for a half-hour waiting on him. He was right there in front of us, for crying out loud!
How could you see that and not believe?
Then one year, Santa rode into town on the fire truck, and when he climbed down, I noticed something odd. He was wearing a hearing aid, and his beard was hanging a full inch off of his face on a string. Plus, he looked suspiciously like a man in town who also wore a hearing aid.
Hmmmmmm.
Fortunately, my parents had the quick fix for my doubts. The man at the Faith Legion building that year was one of Santa's “helpers,” a devout group of tireless workers who aid Santa from time to time. “Sometimes, they even live among us,”they explained.
That was good enough for me. I even shared that piece of information with my own daughter when the time came.
Santa's helpers were everywhere.
Like a mighty army, they appeared all over Rowan County, especially in downtown Salisbury where you could see the most amazing display of Christmas lights each year. There were rows and rows of lighted wreaths and angels, capped off by a gigantic bell right in the middle of the square. By my crude calculations, there were at least a million lights throughout downtown Salisbury. Why, more than a million…there were probably at least…five thousand!
We would pile in the ’53 Plymouth each year and drive to town, just to see this amazing spectacle. It was one of the highlights of the Christmas season.
And when it came to Santa, I obeyed all of the rules. I was as good as I knew how to be, at least the great majority of the time.
Well, there was the one time my brother Mike and I got into a huge fight the day before Christmas. December 24, 1964: A date that will live in infamy.
My brother and I had been at each other most of the morning. I wasn't feeling well and was in no mood for his “mikeness.”
At about 10:30 in the morning, right after I had taken a dose of Phillips Milk of Magnesia (a medicine I despised), the tension between us reached the boiling point. We came to blows.
Mike was two years older and two years scrappier than I. He was the athlete of the family and it showed. But I gave it my all.
I pummeled his fist with my face a couple of times just to show him I meant business. Then, I fell to the floor to unleash my “spinning crab” defense. Words fail to do it justice; I’ll only say that it was a diversionary tactic designed to produce confused laughter from my opponent, which it usually did. It made me appear to be somewhat brain damaged, which by that time in the fight, I probably was.
Then, without warning, came the shot heard ‘round the town. He landed the perfect punch deep into my gut.
There was intense pain, extreme nausea, then a loud rumble followed by the expulsion of the entire contents of my stomach: breakfast, the Phillips Milk of Magnesia, and some candy we weren't supposed to be eating until Christmas Day.
The fight was over.
My grandmother, who arrived on the scene momentarily, separated us and cleaned up the mess that had narrowly missed the gifts placed neatly around the Christmas tree. We received a deserved scolding followed by stern reminder that “Santa is watching.”
That small detail hadn’t entered my mind, but it terrified me.
It was discovered after the fight that I was running a fever, and I was hastily diagnosed with “a stomach flu.” That caused me to miss the Christmas Eve activities at church that night, including the much anticipated visit from “one of Santa's helpers.” I could only hope that Santa had a short memory. I wouldn't be at church to defend myself.
As it turned out, Santa did indeed have a short memory. I was back on my feet Christmas morning and well blessed that year.
Not only that, but my brother and I made peace that day. Most importantly, we both learned the true lesson of Christmas:
To save the fighting until after the presents have been opened.
In the late fifties and early sixties, I believed in Santa Claus. I didn't care what my friend Randy said.
Randy, the town bully, constantly tried to convince us that we had all been duped. There was no Santa Claus. It was a conspiracy concocted by the government to drive the economy, nothing more.
Randy's rants fell on deaf ears. First of all, I didn't know what a conspiracy was, so why listen to the rest? Besides, Randy was the same guy who stripped down to his underwear and took a bath in poison ivy to prove that he was immune to it.
Like I cared what this guy thought.
I had seen Santa with my own eyes. He came to the Faith American Legion Building just before every Christmas on the Faith fire truck. We would stand there in the cold for a half-hour waiting on him. He was right there in front of us, for crying out loud!
How could you see that and not believe?
Then one year, Santa rode into town on the fire truck, and when he climbed down, I noticed something odd. He was wearing a hearing aid, and his beard was hanging a full inch off of his face on a string. Plus, he looked suspiciously like a man in town who also wore a hearing aid.
Hmmmmmm.
Fortunately, my parents had the quick fix for my doubts. The man at the Faith Legion building that year was one of Santa's “helpers,” a devout group of tireless workers who aid Santa from time to time. “Sometimes, they even live among us,”they explained.
That was good enough for me. I even shared that piece of information with my own daughter when the time came.
Santa's helpers were everywhere.
Like a mighty army, they appeared all over Rowan County, especially in downtown Salisbury where you could see the most amazing display of Christmas lights each year. There were rows and rows of lighted wreaths and angels, capped off by a gigantic bell right in the middle of the square. By my crude calculations, there were at least a million lights throughout downtown Salisbury. Why, more than a million…there were probably at least…five thousand!
We would pile in the ’53 Plymouth each year and drive to town, just to see this amazing spectacle. It was one of the highlights of the Christmas season.
And when it came to Santa, I obeyed all of the rules. I was as good as I knew how to be, at least the great majority of the time.
Well, there was the one time my brother Mike and I got into a huge fight the day before Christmas. December 24, 1964: A date that will live in infamy.
My brother and I had been at each other most of the morning. I wasn't feeling well and was in no mood for his “mikeness.”
At about 10:30 in the morning, right after I had taken a dose of Phillips Milk of Magnesia (a medicine I despised), the tension between us reached the boiling point. We came to blows.
Mike was two years older and two years scrappier than I. He was the athlete of the family and it showed. But I gave it my all.
I pummeled his fist with my face a couple of times just to show him I meant business. Then, I fell to the floor to unleash my “spinning crab” defense. Words fail to do it justice; I’ll only say that it was a diversionary tactic designed to produce confused laughter from my opponent, which it usually did. It made me appear to be somewhat brain damaged, which by that time in the fight, I probably was.
Then, without warning, came the shot heard ‘round the town. He landed the perfect punch deep into my gut.
There was intense pain, extreme nausea, then a loud rumble followed by the expulsion of the entire contents of my stomach: breakfast, the Phillips Milk of Magnesia, and some candy we weren't supposed to be eating until Christmas Day.
The fight was over.
My grandmother, who arrived on the scene momentarily, separated us and cleaned up the mess that had narrowly missed the gifts placed neatly around the Christmas tree. We received a deserved scolding followed by stern reminder that “Santa is watching.”
That small detail hadn’t entered my mind, but it terrified me.
It was discovered after the fight that I was running a fever, and I was hastily diagnosed with “a stomach flu.” That caused me to miss the Christmas Eve activities at church that night, including the much anticipated visit from “one of Santa's helpers.” I could only hope that Santa had a short memory. I wouldn't be at church to defend myself.
As it turned out, Santa did indeed have a short memory. I was back on my feet Christmas morning and well blessed that year.
Not only that, but my brother and I made peace that day. Most importantly, we both learned the true lesson of Christmas:
To save the fighting until after the presents have been opened.
Friday, December 17, 2010
In Memory of Those Who Have Left Us
Turn Again To Life
If I should die and leave you here a while,
be not like others sore undone,
who keep long vigil by the silent dust.
For my sake turn again to life and smile,
nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
something to comfort other hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
and I perchance may therein comfort you.
Mary Lee Hall
nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
something to comfort other hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
and I perchance may therein comfort you.
Mary Lee Hall
Monday, November 29, 2010
Kent Bernhardt in Talladega Nights
The following story was written by Kent Bernhardt for the Salisbury Post and since he published it for all to read I'm trusting he won't mind if we share it with the family. Of course, if we have to pay him scale, we're deep into the family treasury. Kent is the son of Clifford Jr. and Marion Bernhardt, grandson of Clifford and Allieree Bernhardt, and great grandson of George and Ida Bernhardt.
Each of us has a story to tell. Somewhere in our past is an adventure or maybe just a single moment that stands above the rest and will define how we will be remembered. I’m sort of hoping mine hasn’t happened yet, but should I appear in tomorrow’s obituaries, the moment that will have to suffice for now is the day I appeared in “Talladega Nights” with Will Ferrell. While the words “lackluster” and “pathetic” race through your mind, let me also add that you never actually see my face in the movie, but on several occasions you do hear my voice. As a matter of fact, I deliver one of the funniest lines in the movie.
It was late 2005, and there was a buzz in the area that Ferrell was making a movie about NASCAR, and some scenes were being shot in the Charlotte area. I hadn’t given it much thought until one day when my phone rang. It was someone upstairs in the management tier of Charlotte Motor Speedway telling me that the movie’s producers were looking for a track announcer to do a line or two for the movie. They wanted to know if I would be interested. That’s a little like asking a dog if he would be interested in having his stomach scratched.
“Well, unless there is a love scene with Sandra Bullock involved, I don’t think so”, I joked.
No response.
“No, of course I’d be interested. What do I have to do?”
I was told someone would e-mail a script. All I had to do was be at a movie studio in downtown Charlotte — I didn’t know there was one — the following Wednesday morning at 9:30. The deal was done.
It began to sink in that this was one of those chance things they could’ve asked a thousand other people to do. I kept telling myself I was qualified for the task. You see, I have one of those “announcer” voices, so when people need “announcery” things done, I sometimes get a call. My parents tell me that my first words weren’t “mommy” or “daddy.” I reportedly did the weather and headed straight for a commercial break.
Wednesday rolled around, and to make sure I wouldn’t be late for my 9:30 appointment with destiny, I left Salisbury at around 8:15, stopping only briefly to fill the car with gas. I met my first obstacle at the local BP.
I’m not sure what happened, but somewhere in the process of attempting to insert the gas pump hose in the gas spout of my car, all hell broke loose. Gas shot out of the hose as soon as I selected the grade, dousing the pump, my car, and my clothes with regular unleaded before I could even begin to think about how to shut it off. I had gone from future movie star to potential human torch in a matter of seconds.
I was panicked but determined to make it to the studio on time. I quickly raced home, deposited my gas-soaked clothes in the washer and ran water to soak them (bad idea….don’t ever do that, by the way), took a quick shower, put on fresh clothes, and darted to Charlotte, still smelling faintly of petroleum.
As I recall, I was only 10 minutes late. Not bad for a man lucky to be alive. As for the my gasoline scent, I figured they’d think everyone associated with NASCAR must smell this way. Sort of a NASCAR cologne.
I assumed I would be ushered to an office or private area where I would record my lines, sign a few papers, and head back to work. Instead, there was a pleasant surprise in store for me. I was ushered to the set of a scene being shot that day involving Will Ferrell and co-star Jane Lynch, now famous as Sue Sylvester on “Glee.”
The scene was one of the few that didn’t make it into the final movie. It involved Ferrell’s character Ricky Bobby attempting to impress his mother with his newfound talent of passing gas in complete sentences like “I love you”, and “Merry Christmas”. OK, it wasn’t exactly Gone With the Wind, but it was as close as I was going to get. If you Google “Talladega Nights Deleted Scenes” you can watch it.
After seven or eight takes of this piece of classic cinema, I was taken to the set and seated on the couch where Ferrell had just….uh, spoken his lines. They handed me a fresh copy of the script with a few changes. A sound technician appeared in front of me with a special microphone. I looked to my left on the couch, and there was a script girl. I looked to my right, and there was Will Ferrell. He politely said hi, and asked if I minded if he listened to me do the lines. I of course said no and odered him off the set. No, of course he could stay! He’s asking me?
I did three takes of the original line they hired me to do. They then handed me an additional page of track announcer lines to be used throughout the movie, and asked if I would mind cutting those “just in case they needed them.” The plan was to have ESPN announcers recut them later. I’m proud to say they used some of my versions in the final cut.
The entire session lasted less than five minutes. I was hoping it would go on forever.
I chatted a little with both Lynch and Ferrell. Lynch kidded me a little about picking that particular day to visit the set — the day of the big fart scene — and I assured her it would live in cinematic history, second only to the campfire scene in “Blazing Saddles.”
I found Will Farrell somewhat reserved but very polite. He was very interested in my profession, and asked me how long I had been at it. When someone else on the set was recording a phone line to be used in the movie, they asked for my input on how a true NASCAR fan would say the line. Having grown up here, I proudly obliged.
Later, I was taken to an adjoining office to complete some paperwork. I was told I would be paid scale for my services, which came to slightly over 700 dollars. Seven hundred dollars for three or four lines. Not bad. What I didn’t know was, according to my contract, I would be paid in future profits as well. I received a check for over two hundred dollars when it was sold to TV, and the checks have kept rolling in each quarter. The last one was for a whopping twenty-three dollars. Hey, it’s money. It spends.
I was invited back to the set two weeks later in my capacity as a reporter to do a quick interview with Ferrell. We talked about NASCAR and why he wanted to do a movie about it, and his upcoming appearance in “The Producers,” playing the crazed Nazi author. I personally think that is one of his funniest performances.
He was even kind enough to record a special greeting to my then 13-year-old daughter, pledging his undying love to her, and promising to marry her one day even though he was already married, so their union would “only be recognized in Utah.”
I didn’t really like “Talladega Nights” when it finally opened in August of 2006, but like a lot of movies, it plays much better on TV. TBS runs it regularly, and I actually find myself laughing out loud at some of the better known scenes, like Ricky Bobby saying grace before a feast of Taco Bell and KFC.
It’s reaching “Animal House” status these days.
As for my “funny line” in the movie, I won’t reveal what it was. It wouldn’t make a lot of sense out of context, but suffice to say it has to do with the French driver occupying the pole position in the race. I’ll leave it at that.
As popular as “Talladega Nights” is today, surely someone must be thinking of a sequel. And surely, they’re going to need a track announcer….
Kent Bernhardt lives in Salisbury.
From the Salisbury Post, November 29, 2010
Each of us has a story to tell. Somewhere in our past is an adventure or maybe just a single moment that stands above the rest and will define how we will be remembered. I’m sort of hoping mine hasn’t happened yet, but should I appear in tomorrow’s obituaries, the moment that will have to suffice for now is the day I appeared in “Talladega Nights” with Will Ferrell. While the words “lackluster” and “pathetic” race through your mind, let me also add that you never actually see my face in the movie, but on several occasions you do hear my voice. As a matter of fact, I deliver one of the funniest lines in the movie.
It was late 2005, and there was a buzz in the area that Ferrell was making a movie about NASCAR, and some scenes were being shot in the Charlotte area. I hadn’t given it much thought until one day when my phone rang. It was someone upstairs in the management tier of Charlotte Motor Speedway telling me that the movie’s producers were looking for a track announcer to do a line or two for the movie. They wanted to know if I would be interested. That’s a little like asking a dog if he would be interested in having his stomach scratched.
“Well, unless there is a love scene with Sandra Bullock involved, I don’t think so”, I joked.
No response.
“No, of course I’d be interested. What do I have to do?”
I was told someone would e-mail a script. All I had to do was be at a movie studio in downtown Charlotte — I didn’t know there was one — the following Wednesday morning at 9:30. The deal was done.
It began to sink in that this was one of those chance things they could’ve asked a thousand other people to do. I kept telling myself I was qualified for the task. You see, I have one of those “announcer” voices, so when people need “announcery” things done, I sometimes get a call. My parents tell me that my first words weren’t “mommy” or “daddy.” I reportedly did the weather and headed straight for a commercial break.
Wednesday rolled around, and to make sure I wouldn’t be late for my 9:30 appointment with destiny, I left Salisbury at around 8:15, stopping only briefly to fill the car with gas. I met my first obstacle at the local BP.
I’m not sure what happened, but somewhere in the process of attempting to insert the gas pump hose in the gas spout of my car, all hell broke loose. Gas shot out of the hose as soon as I selected the grade, dousing the pump, my car, and my clothes with regular unleaded before I could even begin to think about how to shut it off. I had gone from future movie star to potential human torch in a matter of seconds.
I was panicked but determined to make it to the studio on time. I quickly raced home, deposited my gas-soaked clothes in the washer and ran water to soak them (bad idea….don’t ever do that, by the way), took a quick shower, put on fresh clothes, and darted to Charlotte, still smelling faintly of petroleum.
As I recall, I was only 10 minutes late. Not bad for a man lucky to be alive. As for the my gasoline scent, I figured they’d think everyone associated with NASCAR must smell this way. Sort of a NASCAR cologne.
I assumed I would be ushered to an office or private area where I would record my lines, sign a few papers, and head back to work. Instead, there was a pleasant surprise in store for me. I was ushered to the set of a scene being shot that day involving Will Ferrell and co-star Jane Lynch, now famous as Sue Sylvester on “Glee.”
The scene was one of the few that didn’t make it into the final movie. It involved Ferrell’s character Ricky Bobby attempting to impress his mother with his newfound talent of passing gas in complete sentences like “I love you”, and “Merry Christmas”. OK, it wasn’t exactly Gone With the Wind, but it was as close as I was going to get. If you Google “Talladega Nights Deleted Scenes” you can watch it.
After seven or eight takes of this piece of classic cinema, I was taken to the set and seated on the couch where Ferrell had just….uh, spoken his lines. They handed me a fresh copy of the script with a few changes. A sound technician appeared in front of me with a special microphone. I looked to my left on the couch, and there was a script girl. I looked to my right, and there was Will Ferrell. He politely said hi, and asked if I minded if he listened to me do the lines. I of course said no and odered him off the set. No, of course he could stay! He’s asking me?
I did three takes of the original line they hired me to do. They then handed me an additional page of track announcer lines to be used throughout the movie, and asked if I would mind cutting those “just in case they needed them.” The plan was to have ESPN announcers recut them later. I’m proud to say they used some of my versions in the final cut.
The entire session lasted less than five minutes. I was hoping it would go on forever.
I chatted a little with both Lynch and Ferrell. Lynch kidded me a little about picking that particular day to visit the set — the day of the big fart scene — and I assured her it would live in cinematic history, second only to the campfire scene in “Blazing Saddles.”
I found Will Farrell somewhat reserved but very polite. He was very interested in my profession, and asked me how long I had been at it. When someone else on the set was recording a phone line to be used in the movie, they asked for my input on how a true NASCAR fan would say the line. Having grown up here, I proudly obliged.
Later, I was taken to an adjoining office to complete some paperwork. I was told I would be paid scale for my services, which came to slightly over 700 dollars. Seven hundred dollars for three or four lines. Not bad. What I didn’t know was, according to my contract, I would be paid in future profits as well. I received a check for over two hundred dollars when it was sold to TV, and the checks have kept rolling in each quarter. The last one was for a whopping twenty-three dollars. Hey, it’s money. It spends.
I was invited back to the set two weeks later in my capacity as a reporter to do a quick interview with Ferrell. We talked about NASCAR and why he wanted to do a movie about it, and his upcoming appearance in “The Producers,” playing the crazed Nazi author. I personally think that is one of his funniest performances.
He was even kind enough to record a special greeting to my then 13-year-old daughter, pledging his undying love to her, and promising to marry her one day even though he was already married, so their union would “only be recognized in Utah.”
I didn’t really like “Talladega Nights” when it finally opened in August of 2006, but like a lot of movies, it plays much better on TV. TBS runs it regularly, and I actually find myself laughing out loud at some of the better known scenes, like Ricky Bobby saying grace before a feast of Taco Bell and KFC.
It’s reaching “Animal House” status these days.
As for my “funny line” in the movie, I won’t reveal what it was. It wouldn’t make a lot of sense out of context, but suffice to say it has to do with the French driver occupying the pole position in the race. I’ll leave it at that.
As popular as “Talladega Nights” is today, surely someone must be thinking of a sequel. And surely, they’re going to need a track announcer….
Kent Bernhardt lives in Salisbury.
From the Salisbury Post, November 29, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Luther Paul Canup 1920 - 2010
Luther Paul “Luke” Canup, age 90, died on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010, at The Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks in Salisbury. Luke was the youngest of five children born to Ida Bell Julian and David Lee Canup. Except for his years of military service, he was a lifelong resident of Rowan County. Luke graduated from Granite Quarry High School in 1938. He attended North Carolina State College for three years prior to enlisting in the military to serve in World War II. He completed Army Air Corp basic and advanced flight training in Texas and began active duty as a fighter pilot in 1942. He flew a P-47 Thunderbolt in forty-one missions over Germany before his aircraft was shot down on July 8, 1944. He parachuted to safety moments before his plane exploded. Luke was a prisoner of war encamped for eight months at Stalag Luft III. His POW unit was in Moosburg on April 29, 1945, when the 14th Armored Division of Gen. Patton's 3rd Army overtook the camp, an event leading to the end of World War II. He returned to the USA on May 28, his 25th birthday. Among the medals he received are a Presidential Unit Citation, the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters, and the EAME Theatre Ribbon with three bronze stars. After an honorable discharge, Luke returned to Salisbury where he worked with the postal service until his retirement in 1980. He was a charter member of the American Legion Post 41 and held nearly every office in the Post including commander. His love and respect for his country were demonstrated daily as he raised and lowered an American flag from his front porch. In 1942, Luke married his high school sweetheart, Hazel Lingle Canup, with whom he celebrated 67 years of marriage prior to her death in Nov. 2009. Together they had three sons. He was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where he served many years as a choir member, councilman, member of the Men's Brotherhood and chairman of the cemetery committee. During the Memorial Day weekend last May, Luke enjoyed the company of 85 friends and family members as he celebrated his 90th birthday. A reporter captured his love for family and country in pictures and an article which appeared in the May 30 edition of The Salisbury Post. Among those joining him in the celebration were his older siblings, Harley Canup (and wife Mae), Ruth Bernhardt, and Carl Canup, all of Salisbury. Luke is survived by sons, Johnny and wife, Brenda of Kinston, Dale and wife, Jan of Fayetteville and Danny and wife, Elaine of Salisbury; five grandchildren, Laura Canup Hughes and husband, Steve of Charlotte, Lesley Canup Corbin and husband, Brian of Fort Polk, La., Travis Canup and wife, Laura of Pinehurst, Christa Canup and Renee Canup of Salisbury. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Kate, Isaac, Tristan, Robbie, Alex, Mason and Olivia. In addition to his siblings, Luke is survived by his brothersin- law, Howard Bernhardt of Granite Quarry, Hoover Lingle of The Lutheran Home in Salisbury and Claude Hampton of Salisbury; sister-in-law, Kate Lingle of Granite Quarry; and many nephews and nieces with whom he enjoyed annual family reunions and celebrations. He was predeceased by his brother, Arnold Canup in 1996 and his sister, Ruth Canup Bernhardt who died two days ago. Visitation: The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at Powles Funeral Home in Rockwell. Service: The funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Salisbury with Rev. William Ketchie officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Luke's memory be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, 205 St. Paul's Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146. The family wishes to thank the healthcare professionals at The Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks and Rowan Regional Medical Center who delivered excellent medical care with compassion and commitment. A very special thank you is extended to Mary Dunaway, who provided daily care with skill, love and a wonderful sense of humor. Powles Funeral Home in Rockwell is assisting the Canup Family.
Ruth Canup Bernhardt 1914 - 2010
SALISBURY - Mrs. Ruth Canup Bernhardt, 96, of Salisbury, passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, at The Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks.
She was born Aug. 28, 1914, in Rowan County to the late Ida Julian Canup and David Lee Canup. Ruth was educated at Salisbury High School and Catawba College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in education. She then went on to be a teacher at East Rowan High School, where she retired in 1976.
Ruth was very active in the community and belonged to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where she was a lifetime member. She also taught Sunday School and was a member of the Woman's Circle. She was on the fellowship Committee and church history committee.
Ruth also taught in the Laubach Reading Program and was a member of the South Salisbury Fire Department Auxiliary and Board of Directors. She was a volunteer at the Lutheran Home for 32 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Bernhardt, in 1981; a son, Phil Bernhardt; brother Arnold Canup; and daughter-in-law Donna Bernhardt.
Those left behind to cherish Ruth's memories include four sons, Gilbert Bernhardt, J.C. Bernhardt Jr. and wife Brenda, Vernon Bernhardt his wife Cheryl and Claude Bernhardt and wife Debbie; three daughters, Barbara Deese and husband David, Judy Bernhardt and Bonnie Lawlor; daughter-in-law Brenda Bernhardt; three brothers, Harley Canup and wife Mae, Carl Ray Canup and Luther Paul Canup; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Service: Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday Nov. 15 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. William S. Ketchie officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation: Will be held 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Summersett Funeral Home.
Memorials: May be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul's Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.
Obituary from the Salisbury Post
She was born Aug. 28, 1914, in Rowan County to the late Ida Julian Canup and David Lee Canup. Ruth was educated at Salisbury High School and Catawba College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in education. She then went on to be a teacher at East Rowan High School, where she retired in 1976.
Ruth was very active in the community and belonged to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where she was a lifetime member. She also taught Sunday School and was a member of the Woman's Circle. She was on the fellowship Committee and church history committee.
Ruth also taught in the Laubach Reading Program and was a member of the South Salisbury Fire Department Auxiliary and Board of Directors. She was a volunteer at the Lutheran Home for 32 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Bernhardt, in 1981; a son, Phil Bernhardt; brother Arnold Canup; and daughter-in-law Donna Bernhardt.
Those left behind to cherish Ruth's memories include four sons, Gilbert Bernhardt, J.C. Bernhardt Jr. and wife Brenda, Vernon Bernhardt his wife Cheryl and Claude Bernhardt and wife Debbie; three daughters, Barbara Deese and husband David, Judy Bernhardt and Bonnie Lawlor; daughter-in-law Brenda Bernhardt; three brothers, Harley Canup and wife Mae, Carl Ray Canup and Luther Paul Canup; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Service: Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday Nov. 15 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. William S. Ketchie officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Visitation: Will be held 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Summersett Funeral Home.
Memorials: May be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul's Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.
Obituary from the Salisbury Post
Friday, November 12, 2010
Ruth Canup Bernhardt
Ruth Canup Bernhardt passed away Thursday, November 11, at the Lutheran Home in Salisbury, NC. The family will be at Summersett Funeral Home for visitation Sunday night, November 14, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held Monday, November 15, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Salisbury. Interment will follow in the Cemetery.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Parking in the Garage
I always liked the story of how Maggie with her five children in the 1930s car, drove into the old garage and the brakes failed. Here goes the car and all of it occupants through the back wall in the garage out into the pasture. I had such a vivid image. I could just imaging all the expressions, Maggie and Ruth with looks of surprise and terror, and the boys thinking it was all just too, too exciting and "way cool".
Friday, November 5, 2010
Set Back
Mother was very fond of playing cards and learned as a child playing with her brothers. The Leo Bernhardt clan was always been fond of playing the card game, Set Back. With much work to be done on the farm, there was little time to enjoy such a passive past time, except for Sunday afternoons. Of course, Sunday mornings were spent at St Paul’s since the Bernhardts were loyal Lutherans, however, on Sunday afternoon, which is traditionally a day of rest with no working, dancing, or card playing, Leo let the rules slip a little, and the boys and Ruth would sit down with their Father for a rousing game of Set Back. Leo was known for his skill at bluffing. His style of play belied the southern gentleman that he was. The children vied to be his partner since he was seldom bested. One child, however, was excluded from the game, for their chore was to sit on the porch to look out for the preacher lest the family be caught enjoying the Sabbath a little too vigorously. The preacher was known to drop in unannounced at one of his parishioner’s homes for Sunday supper each week. At first signs of dust from any vehicle cresting the hill, the cards would be swept away, hidden in the desk drawer, and an innocent discussion of the weather would ensue.
Memories of Ruth Brown Bernhardt Miller
As remembered by Elizabeth Gail Miller and Karen Miller McConnell
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Carlyn Earnhardt Bernhardt Childhood Memories
I was born March 11, 1917 in Faith, North Carolina
We had an ice box in the smokehouse. The ice man would come one time each week and mother would buy a block of ice. We seldom had “sodas” but the ice box was used to keep our milk and dairy products cold. When my father was living we had our own electric power plant. No one else around us had electric lights. After Daddy died Mother was not able to keep up the light plant so we had to use kerosene lamps. We were still using lamps when I started dating but we finally got electric lights. Daddy was a building contractor. The last house he worked on was the Wallace house nearRowan Memorial Hospital
We had an ice box in the smokehouse. The ice man would come one time each week and mother would buy a block of ice. We seldom had “sodas” but the ice box was used to keep our milk and dairy products cold. When my father was living we had our own electric power plant. No one else around us had electric lights. After Daddy died Mother was not able to keep up the light plant so we had to use kerosene lamps. We were still using lamps when I started dating but we finally got electric lights. Daddy was a building contractor. The last house he worked on was the Wallace house near
As told to Brenda Hoffner Bernhardt
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Fresh Cake Right from the Oven
Ruth was known to get a little sassy at times. Once after Maggie, her mother had just taken the layers of a cake out of the hot wood fired oven, her daughter stooped to smell the fresh baked cake; exaggeratedly sticking her nose almost into the layer and with a big grin on her face exclaiming “ummmh”. At just that moment Ruth’s older brother Myron stepped into the kitchen and cuffed Ruth on the back of the head burying her face in the steaming cake. Ruth jumped back with a scream revealing her rosy red cheeks and nose covered in bits of hot yellow cake. Her mother, overtaken by laughter, but ever mindful of her position of authority, aimed a backhanded swing at her mischievous son, missing her target completely, and slamming her hand against the door jam, breaking her little finger.
Stories of Ruth Bernhardt Miller as remembered by her daughters, Liz Miller and Karen McConnell
Stories of Ruth Bernhardt Miller as remembered by her daughters, Liz Miller and Karen McConnell
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Life of John Crawford Bernhardt
JOHN CRAWFORD BERNHARDT was the youngest of 12 children of John Christian Bernhardt II and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Lentz Bernhardt. He was born on October 3, 1835, when his father was 49 years old, and his mother was 39. The family lived in the house now known as the Moose House. They worshipped at Bethel Bear Creek Church in Stanley County.
On July 17, 1836, when he was 9 months old, John Crawford was christened there “as Johu Crofford and was sponsored by his parents. He was listed as an active member in 1854, the year his father died. He was nineteen years old then and had been only thirteen when his mother died. The U.S. Census of 1850, Cabarrus County, lists his father John C. as age sixty-four; a son, Matthias A., age thirty; a daughter, Mary C., age seventeen; and a granddaughter, Leah B., age nine. John Crawford, then age fifteen, was not listed. He must have been away at school or living with his sister, Margaret B. Linn. His brother, George M., was listed in the 1850 census as age twenty-eight; his wife, Mary Ann, age twenty-five; a son, Caleb T., age eight; and a son, Paul N., age three.”
Before he was married, John Crawford served in the War Between the States. At the age of 26, he enlisted in the military. On June 15, 1861, a company, initially composed of men from Cabarrus County, North Carolina, was organized for the war at Concord. They were known as the “Cabarrus Rangers.” Two weeks later, they “set out for Asheville, where the western companies of the regiment had been ordered into camp for drill and discipline. About August 1, 1861, the companies at Asheville were moved to Camp Beauregard, at Ridgeway, Warren County [North Carolina]. This camp had been designated as a regular school of cavalry instruction and it was here that the 9th Regiment N.C. Troops (1st Regiment NC Cavalry) was formed on August 12, 1861. After that date the company fuctioned as a part of the regiment and its history for the war period is recorded as a part of the regimental history.”
Hal and Lydia Kluttz posted on the Bernhardt family website information about John Crawford Bernhardt’s military service: The organization of John Crawford’s regiment “was accomplished under the act of legislature entitled ‘An Act to Raise Ten Thousand Troops’. All units organized under this act were enlisted for the war, their regimental and company officers were appointed by the governor, and their equipment, uniforms, accouterments, and horses were provided by the state. They were officially designated as State Troops. On October 21, 1861, the regiment was mustered into Confederate States service with (10) companies, Co. A through Co. K.” John Crawford was a part of Company F. At Camp Beauregard in Warren County, NC, the recruits learned calvalry tactics and how to be a soldier.
In October 1861, the regiment was moved to Richmond and then to Manassas Junction, Virginia, “where it was placed under the command of General J.E. B. Stuart’s Cavalry Brigade.”
John Crawford “was a private in the Ninth Regiment Calvary, Company F. He was listed in the Roll of Honor which ‘embraces the names of officers and privates who continued in service until they were killed, captured or honorably discharged.’ (Rumple: History of Rowan County, pp. 341, 342.) Legend has it that he received a foot injury at Chancellorsville, Virginia, site of a Confederate Victory in 1863.”
James William (Bill) Kluttz notes the following details of John Crawford Bernhardt’s war record: “Detached service 22 Apr 1862. On Roll 28 at Hanover Junction 28 Apr 1863. At camp, cripple, 20 Jul 1863. Absent with dead line horse 20 July 1863. At home on furlough of indulgence 28 Mar 1864. Absent – detailed to purchase horse Dec 1864.”
Bill Kluttz suggested [in conversation with Glenna Sears] that when John Crawford was injured, he returned to his sister’s house to convalesce. (This sister, Mary Caroline Bernhardt Fisher, was only 2 years older than John Crawford. She was married to Captain Jacob Allison Fisher who was also in the Civil War. He developed the Fisher Mill near Salisbury. )
John Crawford Bernhardt “ended military service on 16 May 1865 at Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina. He was paroled. He took the Oath of Allegiance at Salisbury on June 5, 1865.” By swearing the Oath of Allegiance he regained his rights of citizenship after having served as a Confederate soldier.
The authors of the Bernhardt Family History book note that John Crawford “rode horseback to the home of his sister, Mary B. Fisher, who lived about seven miles southwest of Salisbury, North Carolina. He [had] acquired a brass surveyor’s compass, chains and a Jacobs staff from a northern officer.”
Three days before his 30th birthday, on September 20, 1865, “John Crawford married Laura Elizabeth Davis [age 23], daughter of Michael Davis, Salisbury, North Carolina. Pastor Dreher, of St. James Lutheran Church, Concord, performed the ceremony.” John Crawford had been out of the military for about four months.
Laura Elizabeth Davis was the daughter of Michael Davis and Sarah Elizabeth Trexler Davis. She was the fifth of their eight children. She was born Christmas Day, 1841. “The Davis home was located in the 300 block of East Innes Street, Salisbury, North Carolina. Michael, Laura’s father, was a colonel in the War Between the States. According to ancestral recollection, he was a silversmith. He died of face cancer at the age of seventy-seven.”
After their marriage, John Crawford and Laura Elizabeth Davis Bernhardt lived near “St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rowan County, where he ran a grist mill for his sister, Margaret Linn Lentz.”
John Crawford and Laura Elizabeth acquired farm land [235 acres] where St. Peter’s Church cemetery is now and going back beyond Dutch Second Creek, encompassing part of a curve of the current Panhandle Road. The grist mill must have been not too far away. Their “land was located on both sides of Dutch Second Creek but did not include the three acres Jacob Fulenwider had sold for $12 to the trustees of St. Peter’s Church, Rowan County on May 12, 1832….”
John Crawford and Laura Elizabeth’s first five children were born on this property and were all baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. I like to think of them frolicking on the rolling land, and perhaps playing in the creek on a warm summer day. At the time they moved from this property, John Adolphus would have been 7, George Michael would have been 5, Cora Lee would have been 4, Mary Augusta (Mollie) would have been 2 or 3, and little Sarah Elizabeth (Sally) would have only been a year old.
“The family left that area and moved to Marion, North Carolina about 1873. [Their sixth child] William Mathias was born there on March 13, 1874. The operation of a general store there was not successful.” Bill Kluttz (in conversation with GS) said that John Crawford worked for a relative who owned the general store. Addie Glover Ketner (in conversation with GS) volunteered that this was about the time the railroad was laid there. She said Grandpa and the family did not live there long.
“The family then returned to Rowan County, and John Crawford sold the Dutch Second Creek property….” John Crawford and Laura Elizabeth’s sale of their land at St. Peter’s is recorded in “Deed Book 48, page 495, dated August 12, 1874, J.C. Bernhardt and wife, L.E., conveyed to George M. Bernhardt, C.T. and P.N. (all of Rowan County) 235 acres of land for $2,650. [Sale was probably to John Crawford’s uncle, Colonel George M. Barnhardt, and his sons, Caleb Theophilus and Paul N. Bernhardt. John Crawford got $11.28 per acre.--GS]
Two weeks later, “On August 27, 1874, he bought the John C.O. Graham place, consisting of 121½ acres on Grant Creek waters, for $1150, Deed Book 48, page 505. [This land cost John Crawford $9.47 per acre.] His sister, Mary B. Fisher, and her husband, Captain Jake Fisher, also lived in this section where they operated a mill and farmed.”
Bill Kluttz prepared an overlay on USGS Quadrangle Sheet showing the entry to John Crawford’s property here about 1500 feet east of Grace Church on Grace Church Road. The property is comparatively narrow for about 2000’ from Grace Church Road, and then widens out into a larger parcel. [I believe this entry road is called “Bernhardt Road.”—GS] Bill Kluttz said there is nothing to see there—no house remains.
“Four more children were born to John Crawford and Laura in their new home place; Ernest Theophilus, Joseph Clarence, an infant twin [to Clarence] who died, and Jacob Alphonso. The Rowan County Census of 1880 listed the entire family, except Jacob A….” [who hadn’t been born yet].
It appears that it was after he moved to the Grace Church area in 1874 that John Crawford actively became a surveyor. John Crawford had “acquired a brass surveyor’s compass, chains and a Jacobs staff from a northern officer [during the Civil War]. He used these instruments in his profession as surveyor of Rowan County. Among properties John Crawford surveyed was the land for the development of the Spencer Shops for the Southern Railway System in the late 1800’s.” “He was Appointed County Surveyor from 1876 to 1885 at Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina. Before becoming the County Surveyor, however, he married, had a number of children, and worked as a grist mill operator and briefly operated a general store.
Six years after John Crawford and Laura moved to the Grace Church area, “Grace Lutheran Church was organized in 1880 with twenty-two members. John Crawford was active in this development and served as an Elder and Sunday School Superintendent. His brother-in-law, Captain Jake Fisher, was Secretary and Treasurer of the new church. Before it was completed, Laura died of pneumonia on March 22, 1882. She was forty years of age and was the first person buried in the Grace Lutheran Church Cemetery.” Laura’s brother John David [John Burton Davis?] had “often visited his sister, Laura, and always gave her children money. Laura was buried in a black dress made from material that he gave her.” Laura’s oldest child was 17, and her youngest was less than a year old.
Life must have been hard for a family of nine children without a mother to cook their supper, make their clothes, and wipe the little one’s noses. I imagine John Crawford eagerly welcomed his new wife to the large family. “On December 6, 1883, John Crawford married Martha Jane Brown.” She was age 30. He was 48. John Crawford’s children—grandparents to many of us, were the following ages when they acquired their new stepmother: John Adolphus was 17, George Michael was 15, Cora Lee was 14, Mollie was 13, Sally was 11, Will was 9, Ern was 7, Joseph Clarence was 5, and Jacob Alphonso was 2. [I wonder how the children reacted to their stepmother. Were the older children resentful of her taking their mother’s place? Were the younger ones so happy to have a mother again—someone to “mother” them besides their older sisters?—GS]
John Crawford’s second wife, Martha Jane Brown “was a great granddaughter of Michael Brown of the old historic Brown House near Salisbury. Their first three children were born at their farm home near the Grace Lutheran Church. They were Annie Laura, Joline, who died young, and Paul Crawford.”
In 1889, after they had been married 6 years, John Crawford and Martha moved their family “to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Community seven miles south of Salisbury…where they had purchased a small farm [on Glover Road]. Their last two children were born there, Ida Pearle, who died young, and Ira Leo. Martha Jane survived John Crawford by seventeen years. During that time she made her home with Leo and family at the home place. She and John Crawford are buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. A compass is engraved on his stone monument.”
“John Crawford was Rowan County Surveyor for many years. He continued in this position until his death at the age of seventy-seven. He also was a successful farmer and a Justice of the Peace. On his seventy-seventh birthday, his children gave him a big dinner and made the occasion a great one by having a large number of his friends from the county and Salisbury present. It was one of the largest gatherings of this kind held in Rowan County. He was one of the most popular men in the county. [The photograph in The Bernhardt Family history was taken on this occasion. Last year, at our Bernhardt reunion, we sat in front of John Crawford’s home and again celebrated his life by having our photograph made in the same spot—the descendants of John Crawford Bernhardt.]
“As reported in the local newspaper on October 30, 1912: ‘His death occurred at 7:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 29, 1912. While sitting in a chair, he died of heart trouble, supposedly heart neuralgia. In the death of Mr. Bernhardt, Rowan County loses a valuable citizen, the people of St. Paul's section a splendid neighbor, his children a tender and affectionate father and his church a wise counselor, loyal defender and supporter.”
Compiled and written by Glenna Sears, great granddaughter of J C Bernhardt.
On July 17, 1836, when he was 9 months old, John Crawford was christened there “as Johu Crofford and was sponsored by his parents. He was listed as an active member in 1854, the year his father died. He was nineteen years old then and had been only thirteen when his mother died. The U.S. Census of 1850, Cabarrus County, lists his father John C. as age sixty-four; a son, Matthias A., age thirty; a daughter, Mary C., age seventeen; and a granddaughter, Leah B., age nine. John Crawford, then age fifteen, was not listed. He must have been away at school or living with his sister, Margaret B. Linn. His brother, George M., was listed in the 1850 census as age twenty-eight; his wife, Mary Ann, age twenty-five; a son, Caleb T., age eight; and a son, Paul N., age three.”
Before he was married, John Crawford served in the War Between the States. At the age of 26, he enlisted in the military. On June 15, 1861, a company, initially composed of men from Cabarrus County, North Carolina, was organized for the war at Concord. They were known as the “Cabarrus Rangers.” Two weeks later, they “set out for Asheville, where the western companies of the regiment had been ordered into camp for drill and discipline. About August 1, 1861, the companies at Asheville were moved to Camp Beauregard, at Ridgeway, Warren County [North Carolina]. This camp had been designated as a regular school of cavalry instruction and it was here that the 9th Regiment N.C. Troops (1st Regiment NC Cavalry) was formed on August 12, 1861. After that date the company fuctioned as a part of the regiment and its history for the war period is recorded as a part of the regimental history.”
Hal and Lydia Kluttz posted on the Bernhardt family website information about John Crawford Bernhardt’s military service: The organization of John Crawford’s regiment “was accomplished under the act of legislature entitled ‘An Act to Raise Ten Thousand Troops’. All units organized under this act were enlisted for the war, their regimental and company officers were appointed by the governor, and their equipment, uniforms, accouterments, and horses were provided by the state. They were officially designated as State Troops. On October 21, 1861, the regiment was mustered into Confederate States service with (10) companies, Co. A through Co. K.” John Crawford was a part of Company F. At Camp Beauregard in Warren County, NC, the recruits learned calvalry tactics and how to be a soldier.
In October 1861, the regiment was moved to Richmond and then to Manassas Junction, Virginia, “where it was placed under the command of General J.E. B. Stuart’s Cavalry Brigade.”
John Crawford “was a private in the Ninth Regiment Calvary, Company F. He was listed in the Roll of Honor which ‘embraces the names of officers and privates who continued in service until they were killed, captured or honorably discharged.’ (Rumple: History of Rowan County, pp. 341, 342.) Legend has it that he received a foot injury at Chancellorsville, Virginia, site of a Confederate Victory in 1863.”
James William (Bill) Kluttz notes the following details of John Crawford Bernhardt’s war record: “Detached service 22 Apr 1862. On Roll 28 at Hanover Junction 28 Apr 1863. At camp, cripple, 20 Jul 1863. Absent with dead line horse 20 July 1863. At home on furlough of indulgence 28 Mar 1864. Absent – detailed to purchase horse Dec 1864.”
Bill Kluttz suggested [in conversation with Glenna Sears] that when John Crawford was injured, he returned to his sister’s house to convalesce. (This sister, Mary Caroline Bernhardt Fisher, was only 2 years older than John Crawford. She was married to Captain Jacob Allison Fisher who was also in the Civil War. He developed the Fisher Mill near Salisbury. )
John Crawford Bernhardt “ended military service on 16 May 1865 at Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina. He was paroled. He took the Oath of Allegiance at Salisbury on June 5, 1865.” By swearing the Oath of Allegiance he regained his rights of citizenship after having served as a Confederate soldier.
The authors of the Bernhardt Family History book note that John Crawford “rode horseback to the home of his sister, Mary B. Fisher, who lived about seven miles southwest of Salisbury, North Carolina. He [had] acquired a brass surveyor’s compass, chains and a Jacobs staff from a northern officer.”
Three days before his 30th birthday, on September 20, 1865, “John Crawford married Laura Elizabeth Davis [age 23], daughter of Michael Davis, Salisbury, North Carolina. Pastor Dreher, of St. James Lutheran Church, Concord, performed the ceremony.” John Crawford had been out of the military for about four months.
Laura Elizabeth Davis was the daughter of Michael Davis and Sarah Elizabeth Trexler Davis. She was the fifth of their eight children. She was born Christmas Day, 1841. “The Davis home was located in the 300 block of East Innes Street, Salisbury, North Carolina. Michael, Laura’s father, was a colonel in the War Between the States. According to ancestral recollection, he was a silversmith. He died of face cancer at the age of seventy-seven.”
After their marriage, John Crawford and Laura Elizabeth Davis Bernhardt lived near “St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Rowan County, where he ran a grist mill for his sister, Margaret Linn Lentz.”
John Crawford and Laura Elizabeth acquired farm land [235 acres] where St. Peter’s Church cemetery is now and going back beyond Dutch Second Creek, encompassing part of a curve of the current Panhandle Road. The grist mill must have been not too far away. Their “land was located on both sides of Dutch Second Creek but did not include the three acres Jacob Fulenwider had sold for $12 to the trustees of St. Peter’s Church, Rowan County on May 12, 1832….”
John Crawford and Laura Elizabeth’s first five children were born on this property and were all baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. I like to think of them frolicking on the rolling land, and perhaps playing in the creek on a warm summer day. At the time they moved from this property, John Adolphus would have been 7, George Michael would have been 5, Cora Lee would have been 4, Mary Augusta (Mollie) would have been 2 or 3, and little Sarah Elizabeth (Sally) would have only been a year old.
“The family left that area and moved to Marion, North Carolina about 1873. [Their sixth child] William Mathias was born there on March 13, 1874. The operation of a general store there was not successful.” Bill Kluttz (in conversation with GS) said that John Crawford worked for a relative who owned the general store. Addie Glover Ketner (in conversation with GS) volunteered that this was about the time the railroad was laid there. She said Grandpa and the family did not live there long.
“The family then returned to Rowan County, and John Crawford sold the Dutch Second Creek property….” John Crawford and Laura Elizabeth’s sale of their land at St. Peter’s is recorded in “Deed Book 48, page 495, dated August 12, 1874, J.C. Bernhardt and wife, L.E., conveyed to George M. Bernhardt, C.T. and P.N. (all of Rowan County) 235 acres of land for $2,650. [Sale was probably to John Crawford’s uncle, Colonel George M. Barnhardt, and his sons, Caleb Theophilus and Paul N. Bernhardt. John Crawford got $11.28 per acre.--GS]
Two weeks later, “On August 27, 1874, he bought the John C.O. Graham place, consisting of 121½ acres on Grant Creek waters, for $1150, Deed Book 48, page 505. [This land cost John Crawford $9.47 per acre.] His sister, Mary B. Fisher, and her husband, Captain Jake Fisher, also lived in this section where they operated a mill and farmed.”
Bill Kluttz prepared an overlay on USGS Quadrangle Sheet showing the entry to John Crawford’s property here about 1500 feet east of Grace Church on Grace Church Road. The property is comparatively narrow for about 2000’ from Grace Church Road, and then widens out into a larger parcel. [I believe this entry road is called “Bernhardt Road.”—GS] Bill Kluttz said there is nothing to see there—no house remains.
“Four more children were born to John Crawford and Laura in their new home place; Ernest Theophilus, Joseph Clarence, an infant twin [to Clarence] who died, and Jacob Alphonso. The Rowan County Census of 1880 listed the entire family, except Jacob A….” [who hadn’t been born yet].
It appears that it was after he moved to the Grace Church area in 1874 that John Crawford actively became a surveyor. John Crawford had “acquired a brass surveyor’s compass, chains and a Jacobs staff from a northern officer [during the Civil War]. He used these instruments in his profession as surveyor of Rowan County. Among properties John Crawford surveyed was the land for the development of the Spencer Shops for the Southern Railway System in the late 1800’s.” “He was Appointed County Surveyor from 1876 to 1885 at Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina. Before becoming the County Surveyor, however, he married, had a number of children, and worked as a grist mill operator and briefly operated a general store.
Six years after John Crawford and Laura moved to the Grace Church area, “Grace Lutheran Church was organized in 1880 with twenty-two members. John Crawford was active in this development and served as an Elder and Sunday School Superintendent. His brother-in-law, Captain Jake Fisher, was Secretary and Treasurer of the new church. Before it was completed, Laura died of pneumonia on March 22, 1882. She was forty years of age and was the first person buried in the Grace Lutheran Church Cemetery.” Laura’s brother John David [John Burton Davis?] had “often visited his sister, Laura, and always gave her children money. Laura was buried in a black dress made from material that he gave her.” Laura’s oldest child was 17, and her youngest was less than a year old.
Life must have been hard for a family of nine children without a mother to cook their supper, make their clothes, and wipe the little one’s noses. I imagine John Crawford eagerly welcomed his new wife to the large family. “On December 6, 1883, John Crawford married Martha Jane Brown.” She was age 30. He was 48. John Crawford’s children—grandparents to many of us, were the following ages when they acquired their new stepmother: John Adolphus was 17, George Michael was 15, Cora Lee was 14, Mollie was 13, Sally was 11, Will was 9, Ern was 7, Joseph Clarence was 5, and Jacob Alphonso was 2. [I wonder how the children reacted to their stepmother. Were the older children resentful of her taking their mother’s place? Were the younger ones so happy to have a mother again—someone to “mother” them besides their older sisters?—GS]
John Crawford’s second wife, Martha Jane Brown “was a great granddaughter of Michael Brown of the old historic Brown House near Salisbury. Their first three children were born at their farm home near the Grace Lutheran Church. They were Annie Laura, Joline, who died young, and Paul Crawford.”
In 1889, after they had been married 6 years, John Crawford and Martha moved their family “to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Community seven miles south of Salisbury…where they had purchased a small farm [on Glover Road]. Their last two children were born there, Ida Pearle, who died young, and Ira Leo. Martha Jane survived John Crawford by seventeen years. During that time she made her home with Leo and family at the home place. She and John Crawford are buried at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. A compass is engraved on his stone monument.”
“John Crawford was Rowan County Surveyor for many years. He continued in this position until his death at the age of seventy-seven. He also was a successful farmer and a Justice of the Peace. On his seventy-seventh birthday, his children gave him a big dinner and made the occasion a great one by having a large number of his friends from the county and Salisbury present. It was one of the largest gatherings of this kind held in Rowan County. He was one of the most popular men in the county. [The photograph in The Bernhardt Family history was taken on this occasion. Last year, at our Bernhardt reunion, we sat in front of John Crawford’s home and again celebrated his life by having our photograph made in the same spot—the descendants of John Crawford Bernhardt.]
“As reported in the local newspaper on October 30, 1912: ‘His death occurred at 7:00 A.M. Tuesday, October 29, 1912. While sitting in a chair, he died of heart trouble, supposedly heart neuralgia. In the death of Mr. Bernhardt, Rowan County loses a valuable citizen, the people of St. Paul's section a splendid neighbor, his children a tender and affectionate father and his church a wise counselor, loyal defender and supporter.”
Compiled and written by Glenna Sears, great granddaughter of J C Bernhardt.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Reunion 2010
The reunion for 2010 has come and gone. But I believe we all had a good time. The trip to Lazy 5 was so much fun. The animals were amazing and came right up to the wagon to get food. There were some mighty big horns, mouths and tongues on those animals; everthing from rheas to water buffalo.
Gary's barbeque drew a crowd of about 30 and was the best time to catch up with everyone. I think we consumed about 3 pigs.
The luncheon was well attended with over 80 people there; the largest number we've had in a while. The table groaned from all the food and so did most of the people by the time they consumed their second desert.
Stephanie Bell Burke amazed us all with her miraculous artistic rendering of Jesus. I'm looking forward to her presentation for St. Paul's that I won.
The children made a wonderful presentation of Bears in honor of our name. They were just darling, thanks Jennifer Bell, Nicole McConnell and Rachel Burke; and especially all the Bearnhardt Bear Cubs.
I didn't make it to the museum on Sunday afternoon so I can't tell you how many went but I think a number did.
Plans for next year are already underway and will be published on the reunion tab as soon as I receive any information.
It was great to see everyone, and if you missed it please mark your calendar for next year and plan to attend. Once again we will have special activities for the children, a family event on Saturday, the lunch on Sunday with entertainment and the Family Home Place will be open on Sunday afternoon. Hope to see you then.
In the meantime keep in touch through the blog. Please let me know of any news or any family stories that can be shared.
Karen
Gary's barbeque drew a crowd of about 30 and was the best time to catch up with everyone. I think we consumed about 3 pigs.
The luncheon was well attended with over 80 people there; the largest number we've had in a while. The table groaned from all the food and so did most of the people by the time they consumed their second desert.
Stephanie Bell Burke amazed us all with her miraculous artistic rendering of Jesus. I'm looking forward to her presentation for St. Paul's that I won.
The children made a wonderful presentation of Bears in honor of our name. They were just darling, thanks Jennifer Bell, Nicole McConnell and Rachel Burke; and especially all the Bearnhardt Bear Cubs.
I didn't make it to the museum on Sunday afternoon so I can't tell you how many went but I think a number did.
Plans for next year are already underway and will be published on the reunion tab as soon as I receive any information.
It was great to see everyone, and if you missed it please mark your calendar for next year and plan to attend. Once again we will have special activities for the children, a family event on Saturday, the lunch on Sunday with entertainment and the Family Home Place will be open on Sunday afternoon. Hope to see you then.
In the meantime keep in touch through the blog. Please let me know of any news or any family stories that can be shared.
Karen
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Reunion Time is Here
I hope to see each of you this weekend for the Reunion.
It's not too late to join us at the Lazy 5. The weather is going to cool off a little and it should be comfortable. Just show up and look for us and remember they only take cash.
Church on Sunday begins at 10:30. There is a nursery and children's church, so bring all the kids!
Make sure your kids are there Sunday at the picnic for a special presentation.
If you have any questions give me a call at 704-797-8964.
Karen
It's not too late to join us at the Lazy 5. The weather is going to cool off a little and it should be comfortable. Just show up and look for us and remember they only take cash.
Church on Sunday begins at 10:30. There is a nursery and children's church, so bring all the kids!
Make sure your kids are there Sunday at the picnic for a special presentation.
If you have any questions give me a call at 704-797-8964.
Karen
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Bernhardt Reunion 2010 - Young Bernhardts
August is coming quickly, I hope you've made your plans to attend the reunion. I'd love to hear from you if you will be joining us at 3 on the 31 at Lazy 5.
We will be focusing on the children this year at the reunion. In addition to our event at Lazy 5, we will have special gifts for those 10 and under and Bocci Ball and Corn Hole tournaments for those 11 and up. We want the younger Bernhardts to look forward to coming to the reunion just like we did as kids; remember those baseball games (it must have been cooler back then.)
We must get the younger generation invested in the family so that they will carry on when we are gone. I know my mother had the same concerns years ago, and I am proud that our generation has continued with the tradition of staying in touch and visiting with each other at least once a year.
So let's make it fun for the kids this year and help them to get to know their Bernhardt cousins. It's a wonderful family to belong to!
Karen
704-797-8964
kmacc@carolina.rr.com
We will be focusing on the children this year at the reunion. In addition to our event at Lazy 5, we will have special gifts for those 10 and under and Bocci Ball and Corn Hole tournaments for those 11 and up. We want the younger Bernhardts to look forward to coming to the reunion just like we did as kids; remember those baseball games (it must have been cooler back then.)
We must get the younger generation invested in the family so that they will carry on when we are gone. I know my mother had the same concerns years ago, and I am proud that our generation has continued with the tradition of staying in touch and visiting with each other at least once a year.
So let's make it fun for the kids this year and help them to get to know their Bernhardt cousins. It's a wonderful family to belong to!
Karen
704-797-8964
kmacc@carolina.rr.com
Monday, July 12, 2010
Lazy 5 Review
CyndiA's Full Review: Lazy 5 Ranch
The Lazy 5 Ranch is about 10 miles from my house. It's an exotic animal ranch right in the middle of cow country. Most of the local farmers milk dairy cows. Henry Hampton tends exotics.
I was teaching at NC State when one of my students did a speech about her family's animal ranch. I was amazed to hear that there was such a ranch back home. The address is actually Mooresville, NC. Mooresville is right outside the Lake Norman area and is a thriving and growing city. The ranch is seriously out in the country – but not too far from Lake Norman. Coming the other direction, the Lazy 5 Ranch is an easy drive from Lowe’s Motor Speedway, so it’s a nice morning or afternoon trip for folks visiting for NASCAR.
My boys were little the first time we went to the Lazy 5 Ranch. It’s been open 15 years, and it had probably only been open a year or two at the time we first went. There were five family members running the ranch back then, and that’s how they came up with the name. It’s bigger now, but it’s still a very family type business.
You drive up the long driveway and get tickets and can also buy food for the animals. Be sure to get some food. It’s loads of fun to feed the animals. They are very friendly. Just watch your bucket. Some of the animals will grab your bucket away if you’re not careful.
The ranch is set up as a safari ride. You can drive your car through or pay a little more and ride one of the wagons. I’d recommend riding one of the wagons. Some of the little animals with hooves jump up on the sides of the cars and can leave scratches. My old car had a lot of scratches anyway, so we did drive the route several times. Now that I have a newer truck, we take the wagon.
There are all kinds of animals on the ranch, and they’re adding all the time. You’ll see big horned cows from Africa, pot belly pigs, miniatures deer, giraffes, llamas, and ostriches. Most are running free on the ranch, but some are enclosed in large nature areas. Some of the animals are rescues. An injured deer might end up at Lazy 5, because it’s protected, and the family is fine about less-than-perfect animals living there.
In addition to the safari drive, there’s a big area with exhibits like exotic birds and reptiles. There’s a prairie dog section which is a lot of fun and a petting zoo area. There are some skulls with horns for decoration, and my oldest son (when he was little) told me that his favorite animals were the bone heads. It took a while to figure that one out.
The ranch is open every day except Christmas Day. During the holiday season, they really deck out and have reindeer and Santa. It’s usually not terribly cold in North Carolina – even in November and December.
Recently there was some concern that the ranch might close. The county was going to back tax on something. Residents signed petitions and really got upset about the ranch getting shut down. It looks like things are going to be okay now. It’s hard to run a small farm in this area, and I hope government leaders will encourage alternative ventures like the exotic animal ranch.
Lazy 5 Ranch is great for a family visit, and it’s also super for school groups. It’s not huge and exhausting like some zoos. The habitat is natural. The animals run free and certainly seem to enjoy visitors. A llama slobbered all over me the last time we went, and I didn’t even have the feed cup.
I was teaching at NC State when one of my students did a speech about her family's animal ranch. I was amazed to hear that there was such a ranch back home. The address is actually Mooresville, NC. Mooresville is right outside the Lake Norman area and is a thriving and growing city. The ranch is seriously out in the country – but not too far from Lake Norman. Coming the other direction, the Lazy 5 Ranch is an easy drive from Lowe’s Motor Speedway, so it’s a nice morning or afternoon trip for folks visiting for NASCAR.
My boys were little the first time we went to the Lazy 5 Ranch. It’s been open 15 years, and it had probably only been open a year or two at the time we first went. There were five family members running the ranch back then, and that’s how they came up with the name. It’s bigger now, but it’s still a very family type business.
You drive up the long driveway and get tickets and can also buy food for the animals. Be sure to get some food. It’s loads of fun to feed the animals. They are very friendly. Just watch your bucket. Some of the animals will grab your bucket away if you’re not careful.
The ranch is set up as a safari ride. You can drive your car through or pay a little more and ride one of the wagons. I’d recommend riding one of the wagons. Some of the little animals with hooves jump up on the sides of the cars and can leave scratches. My old car had a lot of scratches anyway, so we did drive the route several times. Now that I have a newer truck, we take the wagon.
There are all kinds of animals on the ranch, and they’re adding all the time. You’ll see big horned cows from Africa, pot belly pigs, miniatures deer, giraffes, llamas, and ostriches. Most are running free on the ranch, but some are enclosed in large nature areas. Some of the animals are rescues. An injured deer might end up at Lazy 5, because it’s protected, and the family is fine about less-than-perfect animals living there.
In addition to the safari drive, there’s a big area with exhibits like exotic birds and reptiles. There’s a prairie dog section which is a lot of fun and a petting zoo area. There are some skulls with horns for decoration, and my oldest son (when he was little) told me that his favorite animals were the bone heads. It took a while to figure that one out.
Recently there was some concern that the ranch might close. The county was going to back tax on something. Residents signed petitions and really got upset about the ranch getting shut down. It looks like things are going to be okay now. It’s hard to run a small farm in this area, and I hope government leaders will encourage alternative ventures like the exotic animal ranch.
Lazy 5 Ranch is great for a family visit, and it’s also super for school groups. It’s not huge and exhausting like some zoos. The habitat is natural. The animals run free and certainly seem to enjoy visitors. A llama slobbered all over me the last time we went, and I didn’t even have the feed cup.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Change of Time
On July 31, as part of the Bernhardt reunion, our resevation for dinner at Gary's Barbeque in China Grove is at 5:00 not 6:00. Hope to see you there for some good NC Barbeque.
Don't forget the Lazy 5 ranch. The kids will love it and this will be a great way of meeting some of your cousins.
We hope to have a large crowd at the workship on Sunday morning; then we will have plenty of time to socialize before we eat.
The trip to the museum will give us some perspective on life in Salisbury for our early ancestors.
You indicated in the survey taken last year that you wanted more events and time to visit, so let's make this a success.
I hope to see you there!
Don't forget the Lazy 5 ranch. The kids will love it and this will be a great way of meeting some of your cousins.
We hope to have a large crowd at the workship on Sunday morning; then we will have plenty of time to socialize before we eat.
The trip to the museum will give us some perspective on life in Salisbury for our early ancestors.
You indicated in the survey taken last year that you wanted more events and time to visit, so let's make this a success.
I hope to see you there!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
From Steve and Cathi Bernhardt (son of Carlyn Earnhardt Bernhardt)
To All:
Unfortunately Cathi and I will be unable to attend this year’s Bernhardt Reunion because of a pre-commitment.
On behalf of our entire family we would like to take this opportunity to personally thank each of you for your loving support following the loss of our Mom last month. At 93 she lived a wonderful life and we enjoyed celebrating her life with many of you that weekend. Have a great reunion and we hope to see you’ll next year if not before.
God Bless and Keep You All Safe til We See You Again!
Cathi and Steve
Unfortunately Cathi and I will be unable to attend this year’s Bernhardt Reunion because of a pre-commitment.
On behalf of our entire family we would like to take this opportunity to personally thank each of you for your loving support following the loss of our Mom last month. At 93 she lived a wonderful life and we enjoyed celebrating her life with many of you that weekend. Have a great reunion and we hope to see you’ll next year if not before.
God Bless and Keep You All Safe til We See You Again!
Cathi and Steve
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
JC Bernhardt Family Reunion - August 1, 2010
Dear Bernhardt Cousins,
August is coming soon and I am looking forward to seeing you at the reunion on August 1. We have a full weekend of activities arranged and hope that you plan on joining us for all or part of it. Please drop me an email and let me know if your family might be interested in participating in the different activities. We don't want to overbook it there is no interest.
I hope that you have been enjoying the JC Bernhardt blog. I If you haven't seen it please check it out at www.jcbernhardt.blogspot.com. I know you'll learn a lot about your family. We will keep you updated on our plans for the reunion there.
Saturday, July 31
3:00 – Lazy 5 Ranch; The Lazy 5 Ranch is an exotic animal drive thru park that offers a 3.5 mile safari. You will have the opportunity to view over 750 animals from six different continents. You can see these animals from the safety of your own car or call for reservations on their horse drawn wagons. This is a drive-through experience unique to North Carolina. The site also includes a petting zoo and historic animal barn. A group rate of $5/person over 1 year old, + $2.50 for the wagon ride is available for groups of 15 or more. This is a great activity for the kids and adults alike, a wonderful opportunity to meet some Bernhardts your age. http://www.lazy5ranch.com/index.htm
6:00 – Dinner at Gary's Barbeque in China Grove.
Sunday, August 1
10:30 – Worship Service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church the home church of your ancestors. The Bernhardts will be recognized for their many contributions to the church through the years. Let's have a great showing!
12:00 – Covered Dish Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
12:00 Meet and greet your family. Treasure Hunt. 12:30 Lunch 1:00 Business Meeting and Entertainment
2:30 – Rowan Museum; Exhibits include: Civil War and Confederate Prison which includes letters, weapons, items from the arsenal located in Rowan County, and artifacts from the Salisbury Confederate prison including original lithographs done by prisoners; Commerce and Professional Life including artifacts from advertising, finance, medical, general stores, distilleries, hotels and more; Country Life and Early Trade including a Nissen covered wagon used in traveling the Great Wagon Road to settle Rowan County. Other exhibits include Granite and Quarry displays, Carpenter’s tools, and Blacksmith items, also tools related to wheel-making and Field and Forest tools. Contributions accepted. http://www.rowanmuseum.org/
August is coming soon and I am looking forward to seeing you at the reunion on August 1. We have a full weekend of activities arranged and hope that you plan on joining us for all or part of it. Please drop me an email and let me know if your family might be interested in participating in the different activities. We don't want to overbook it there is no interest.
I hope that you have been enjoying the JC Bernhardt blog. I If you haven't seen it please check it out at www.jcbernhardt.blogspot.com. I know you'll learn a lot about your family. We will keep you updated on our plans for the reunion there.
Saturday, July 31
3:00 – Lazy 5 Ranch; The Lazy 5 Ranch is an exotic animal drive thru park that offers a 3.5 mile safari. You will have the opportunity to view over 750 animals from six different continents. You can see these animals from the safety of your own car or call for reservations on their horse drawn wagons. This is a drive-through experience unique to North Carolina. The site also includes a petting zoo and historic animal barn. A group rate of $5/person over 1 year old, + $2.50 for the wagon ride is available for groups of 15 or more. This is a great activity for the kids and adults alike, a wonderful opportunity to meet some Bernhardts your age. http://www.lazy5ranch.com/index.htm
6:00 – Dinner at Gary's Barbeque in China Grove.
Sunday, August 1
10:30 – Worship Service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church the home church of your ancestors. The Bernhardts will be recognized for their many contributions to the church through the years. Let's have a great showing!
12:00 – Covered Dish Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
12:00 Meet and greet your family. Treasure Hunt. 12:30 Lunch 1:00 Business Meeting and Entertainment
2:30 – Rowan Museum; Exhibits include: Civil War and Confederate Prison which includes letters, weapons, items from the arsenal located in Rowan County, and artifacts from the Salisbury Confederate prison including original lithographs done by prisoners; Commerce and Professional Life including artifacts from advertising, finance, medical, general stores, distilleries, hotels and more; Country Life and Early Trade including a Nissen covered wagon used in traveling the Great Wagon Road to settle Rowan County. Other exhibits include Granite and Quarry displays, Carpenter’s tools, and Blacksmith items, also tools related to wheel-making and Field and Forest tools. Contributions accepted. http://www.rowanmuseum.org/
Friday, June 18, 2010
It's All Relative
Can you help me identify these beautiful children? They are among the Bernhardt family pictures but unidentified. Saturday, June 5, 2010
Carlyn Earnhardt Bernhardt 1917 - 2010
Carlyn Earnhardt Bernhardt, 93, of Salisbury, passed away Friday, June 4, 2010 at Genesis Health Care.
Born March 11, 1917 in Rowan County, she was the daughter of the late Hannah Hartman Earnhardt and John Benjamin Earnhardt. She was a graduate of Granite Quarry High School and Salisbury Business College.
Mrs. Bernhardt was first employed with F & M Bank as a stenographer in 1936 and was the bank’s first full-time female employee. She worked in a defense plant in Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, VA, during WW II. She rejoined F & M in 1952. In 1969, she was elected secretary/treasurer and served as secretary to the board of directors prior to her election to the board in 1975. Mrs. Bernhardt retired from F & M Bank in May 1982, with 37 years of service.
She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she served as church treasurer, was a member of the church council, Sunday school teacher and choir member. A former Luther League advisor, she served as treasurer for many organizations. Mrs. Bernhardt was an active member of St. Paul's Women of the ELCA, where she was a former president. A life member of the Rowan County 4-H Club, she was the first member from Rowan County to be inducted in the State Honor Club. She was a past president of the Salisbury-Rowan Association of Insurance Women and past secretary of the women’s division of the N.C. Banker’s Association.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Walter Albert “Bud” Bernhardt, who died January 8, 1997; and two grandchildren Ryan and Allison Bernhardt.
Survivors include three sons Michael (Mike) Bernhardt (Brenda) of Mooresville, John Bernhardt of Tyler, TX; Stephen Bernhardt (Cathi) of Oakton, VA; four grandchildren Wendy Nichols (Scott), Ashley Williams (Matt), Dr. Chad Bernhardt, Sean Bernhardt (Stacy); and two great-grandchildren, Reagan Nichols and Laird Williams.
Visitation: 6-8:00 PM – Friday, June 11, 2010 at Lyerly Funeral Home.
Service: 11:00 AM – Saturday, June 12, 2010 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Floyd Bost officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul’s Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Keep it in the Family
It's been suggested that we should list businesses of family members. If we need services or products that a family member could supply then we could "Keep it in the Family."
If you would like to be listed on the website with your business information, email it to me at kmacc@carolina.rr.com and I will list it under "Keep it in the Family."
Information to include: Your name; business name; services or products; website; contact info.
Such as:
Liz Miller,CDA; Artful Endeavors; Decorative Artist, http://artfulendeavors.net/ ; 919-847-4101.
If you would like to be listed on the website with your business information, email it to me at kmacc@carolina.rr.com and I will list it under "Keep it in the Family."
Information to include: Your name; business name; services or products; website; contact info.
Such as:
Liz Miller,CDA; Artful Endeavors; Decorative Artist, http://artfulendeavors.net/ ; 919-847-4101.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tainted Candy
Lonnie Cletus, son of Jacob Alphonso Bernhardt, used to attend a school house that was located on Webb road, down in a slight creek valley just before you reach the Lyerly’s residence. You can still see it from the road but it is just a skeleton of a building now and nearly covered up with vines and weeds – in fact, it looks like it is ready to collapse. At the time that this school was built, a small spring lay just north of the school house but it was not usable. All age levels attended this school but the older the boys were assigned to carry drinking water in buckets from the Webb’s place, a homestead about ½ mile up the path which included a small store. While they were on the water runs, the boys would buy candy for a few pennies and then carry it back to the school in a small bag (along with their water buckets, of course).
Grandpa liked to slip some of the girls candy that he had bought. One little boy, named Willie Hill, talked sort of like the Buckwheat character on the Little Rascals shows. Lots of his consonants sounded like “t”. Willie was jealous and whispered to my dad one day that if he didn’t share some of the candy with him, he was going to tell the teacher that the boys bought candy at the store and didn’t just go only to get water.
It didn’t take long for my dad to fix that scene. He took the wrappers off of some of his own Grandma’s chocolate-flavored Ex-lax and put it in a small brown paper bag. In the morning after the boys had gone for water and returned, Willie approached him and threatened dad again. So dad was extra generous this time and gave Willie the entire bag of “candy”.
When the class returned to the schoolhouse from recess, Willie asked the teacher to be excused. Confused, the teacher asked Willie why he needed to be excused because they just got back from the afternoon recess. Willie replied, “When you totta toe, you totta toe” (when you gotta go, you gotta go) and ran out the door. Last thing the students saw was Willie running with his pants half down going around the flag pole and heading for the woods. Dad said that Willie would not eat anything he was ever offered after that episode.
Story told to Stan Sebastian by Oleba Bernhardt Sebastian
Grandpa liked to slip some of the girls candy that he had bought. One little boy, named Willie Hill, talked sort of like the Buckwheat character on the Little Rascals shows. Lots of his consonants sounded like “t”. Willie was jealous and whispered to my dad one day that if he didn’t share some of the candy with him, he was going to tell the teacher that the boys bought candy at the store and didn’t just go only to get water.
It didn’t take long for my dad to fix that scene. He took the wrappers off of some of his own Grandma’s chocolate-flavored Ex-lax and put it in a small brown paper bag. In the morning after the boys had gone for water and returned, Willie approached him and threatened dad again. So dad was extra generous this time and gave Willie the entire bag of “candy”.
When the class returned to the schoolhouse from recess, Willie asked the teacher to be excused. Confused, the teacher asked Willie why he needed to be excused because they just got back from the afternoon recess. Willie replied, “When you totta toe, you totta toe” (when you gotta go, you gotta go) and ran out the door. Last thing the students saw was Willie running with his pants half down going around the flag pole and heading for the woods. Dad said that Willie would not eat anything he was ever offered after that episode.
Story told to Stan Sebastian by Oleba Bernhardt Sebastian
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Little Girl with a Fish Bowl
This story was told to Doris Elizabeth Faggart Gillon by her Grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Bernhardt Pense (5th child of John Crawford Bernhardt and Laura Elizabeth Davis) and her Mother Vera Elizabeth Pence. (Sarah was 10 years old when her mother, Laura Elizabeth Davis, died on the 22nd of March 1882).
When Sarah was a little girl her Mother was very sick. A large group of family and friends were gathered together in a downstairs family room. Suddenly a little girl dressed in a white gown and carrying a bowl of goldfish came down the stairs. She did not look or speak to anyone in the room, just walked through and on out the front door.
Some of the folks in the room got up and went out on the front porch looking for her but she had completely disappeared. Now this was in a remote area with nothing close by. When they couldn’t find her and went back in the house they found that Sarah’s Mother had just died.
My Grandmother and Mother always told us the little girl with the fish bowl was a token to the family that her Mother’s death was very near.
When Sarah was a little girl her Mother was very sick. A large group of family and friends were gathered together in a downstairs family room. Suddenly a little girl dressed in a white gown and carrying a bowl of goldfish came down the stairs. She did not look or speak to anyone in the room, just walked through and on out the front door.
Some of the folks in the room got up and went out on the front porch looking for her but she had completely disappeared. Now this was in a remote area with nothing close by. When they couldn’t find her and went back in the house they found that Sarah’s Mother had just died.
My Grandmother and Mother always told us the little girl with the fish bowl was a token to the family that her Mother’s death was very near.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Mike the Mule made it through school, but didn't graduate!
Roy Bernhardt, son of Ira Leo, walked the 1.5 miles to school at the Yost one room school house for 4 years and then went to Granite Quarry School. A story that Dad would rather not be told is about Mike the mule. Not only did they use Mike around the farm but Roy would ride the mule. One weekend when he was in his early teens (old enough to know better) he was in Granite Quarry with Mike. On a dare, Roy rode Mike in one door, down the hall and out the other door of the school. Mike made it “through” school but never received a diploma.
As told to Ben Bernhardt
As told to Ben Bernhardt
Sunday, April 4, 2010
More Members of Luther League Identified
Roy Bernhardt thinks he has identified more of the people in the photo below.
First Row: Ruth Safrit Redding, Unknown Koon, Ruth Bernhardt Miller, Rachel Sloop Fesperman, Oleba Bernhardt Sebastian, Jessie Safrit, Unknown Avant, Unknown Koon.
Second row: Another Koon, Ruth Wilhelm, Rebecca Sloop, Another Koon
Third row: Charles Brown Cruise, Harold Ray Cruise, Sidney Ray Bernhardt
How did he do?
First Row: Ruth Safrit Redding, Unknown Koon, Ruth Bernhardt Miller, Rachel Sloop Fesperman, Oleba Bernhardt Sebastian, Jessie Safrit, Unknown Avant, Unknown Koon.
Second row: Another Koon, Ruth Wilhelm, Rebecca Sloop, Another Koon
Third row: Charles Brown Cruise, Harold Ray Cruise, Sidney Ray Bernhardt
How did he do?
Friday, March 26, 2010
Some in Luther League Picture Identified!
My dad received a small folder with several pictures, including this one, and a finely written note from St. Paul’s when he was overseas in WWII. That would have been in 1944 or so. Is that how your copy of this picture was stored? When I found it a couple of years ago I looked at the picture with a magnifying glass and identified several people. I don’t recognize the woman on the far left but the woman between her and your mother is Annie Lee Webb. She’s the one who wrote the note to my dad. On the other side of your mother is Rachel Fesperman and the woman sitting on the lower step next to her is Oleba Sebastian. I think the young man farthest back is Sidney Ray Bernhardt, but his face is not as clear as theirs. He would have been 17 or so at the time. I believe the woman sitting farthest back just in front of the men may be Rebecca Sloop, Rachel’s older sister.
Glenna Sears
Glenna Sears
Friday, March 12, 2010
Priscilla Diann Bernhardt Burkett 1941 - 2010
CONCORD - Priscilla Diann Bernhardt Burkett, 68, formerly of 704 S. Deal St., Landis, passed away March 9, 2010, at Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast.
Born June 1, 1941, in Rowan County to the late William C. Bernhardt and Bertie Inez Drake, she attended Rowan County schools and retired from Pillowtex as a warper tender. She was of the Lutheran faith.
Mrs. Burkett dedicated her life to helping family and friends and would go to extremes to help others. She enjoyed her family and her cats.
She was also preceded in death by her husbands, Roy Burkett and Donald F. Hunter.
Survivors include a daughter, Teresa Burkett and fiance Willie Hancock; two brothers, Bill Bernhardt (Cathy) of Panama City, Fla., and Gary Bernhardt (Carol) of Murphy; a sister, Brenda B. Lowder (Johnny) of Kannapolis; three grandchildren, Alisha M. Taylor, Katie Burkett and Isaiah Burkett; a number of nieces and nephews; and her loving cat, Lady.
Diann was the daughter of William Crawford Bernhardt and Bertie Inez Drake, Crawford was the son of Ira Leo and Maggie Parks Bernhardt, Leo was the son of JC and Martha Jane Bernhardt.
Diann, 704 S. Deal St., Landis, NC 28088.
Memorials: May be made to American Lung Association, P.O. Box 27985, Raleigh NC 27611
Sunday, February 28, 2010
St Paul's Luther League
Here is a photo of St Paul's Luther League. Ruth Bernhardt Miller is sitting on the left wall, third from the left. Who else do you recognize? What year do you think this is?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Bernhardt Miller House Circa 1845
The center hallway I-formation floor plan was a common plan in the southeast from the mid 1800’s until well into the 20th century. The early 1900’s L addition was removed and the original 4 room, center hallway house was restored. The original section was restored as closely as possible to the original. The front porch was removed and a lean to porch pictured in an early 1900’s family photograph was copied. Scrap molding discovered in the walls of the house showed the chrome green trim color.
An addition to the rear of the house contains a modern kitchen, bath, great room and master bedroom suite. The addition was designed to reflect the Greek revival features of the original section. Woodwork was reproduced, window size and shape was repeated and rescued materials were used wherever possible. The new section blends nicely with the older part of the structure.
Most of the original Greek revival molding with hand carved corner blocks remains throughout the house. The two panel doors are original, all except the front door. However the back door to the hall may actually be the original front door flipped over and cut off to fit the unusual opening. The door style has been copied in the new front door.
The left hand wall was wallpapered therefore left unpainted. Remnants of two different wallpapers applied throughout the years remains on the wall. Newspaper applied in the early 1900’s to keep out drafts also remains. Behind the rear door is a newspaper, The Farmer’s Alliance, which contains the name of the JC Bernhardt.
An original simple banister with spindles leads to the second floor. The wall paneling still shows plane marks from the hand plane used to finish the wood. Old family portraits line the walls of the stairway. Many of the furniture pieces are family pieces and some still stand in their original position. The parlor is painted with Prussian blue paint, a very popular pigment color in the early 1800’s. Traces of this color were found on the walls, ceilings and molding of the parlor, hall and dining room. The unpainted interior wall once again shows signs of early wallpaper.
The chimneys were replaced but the original lintel and hearth stone were reused. The original mantels had been lost over the years so new mantels were designed by Karen and Stan using original woodwork designs. The of the glass in the 6 over 6 windows is original glass.
During the years the house stood empty, Leo's once domestic colony of honey bees built a hive in the exterior wall. The 20 year old colony had built honeycomb that stretched the full width of tnorth wall and had to be scraped out by hand during the restoration. The lentil for the fireplace in what is now the dining room was replaced in the early 1940’s but the original was discovered in the front yard. It had been reused as the step to the front porch. It is now back in its original location. The floor was hand painted by the owners. There is no overhead lighting in this room; the family still dines on special occasions by candlelight from the chandelier.
Floors on the second floor of the house are original heart pine planks. They have been refinished. Family furniture from the early 1890’s furnishes the bedrooms. The two bedrooms, and a small center room, housed all of the many Bernhardt children. A gash in the banister was made when Leo threw a piece of firewood at a family cat, he found asleep on his bed.
The addition features reproduced moldings, reclaimed lumber for the floors and family antiques. Bead board paneling from several different rooms of the removed early1900’s addition was reused on the walls in the great room. The tiger maple armoire was made by great grandfather Parks and initially furnished closet space in one of the upstairs bedrooms.
China on the fireplace wall is part of a collection of the pattern used by Martha Jane Bernhardt. A few plates survived but were difficult to identify. The discovery of shards in the yard revealed the details that enabled the family to identify the early china pattern. The kitchen fireplace, one of six in the house, was designed from early American examples and features one of the heart pine beams from the house. The family butter churn sits on the hearth. The bead-board kitchen cabinets are colored with milk paint.
The house has been home to four generations of the Bernhardt Family. Our hopes are that many more generations of the family will enjoy this beautiful home. Come by and visit during the weekend of the reunion; we'd love to show you the house where our family grew up.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Correction: Jacob Alphonso Bernhardt Family in picture below!
I notice that the photo on the website called the Sarah Elizabeth Bernhardt Pence family is actually the Jacob Alphonso Bernhardt family. Stan Sebastian’s grandfather (Oleba’s father) is the little fellow standing on the far right. The picture was taken around 1910 and these are the people in it: In back left to right, Ada (mother); Allie, Gussie, Alphonso holding Lillian, Lonnie; In front, Raymond.
Glenna Sears
Thanks Glenna! Everyone note the change, please!
Glenna Sears
Thanks Glenna! Everyone note the change, please!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Leo Branch of Bernhardt Family
Leo Branch 
Father's Day, A Couple Years Back
Father's Day, A Couple Years BackNow that I have thoroughly embarrassed everyone on the Leo Branch of the family, it's time to share some things you've got. Send them I'll be glad to post for you. kmacc@carolina.rr.com
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Blessing
Good Lord in thy tender mercies, pardon us for our many sins and grant a blessing for what we are about to receive. AMEN.
Passed down to Addie Ketner from her mother and believed to be the blessing JC Bernhardt used at meals to bless the food for his children, our ancestors.
Passed down to Addie Ketner from her mother and believed to be the blessing JC Bernhardt used at meals to bless the food for his children, our ancestors.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Fruit in the Pantry
In 1912 when J. C. Bernhardt passed away, his second wife Martha Jane, and his youngest son, my grandfather, Ira Leo were living at the homeplace. JC left no will, so the court distributed his property. An inventory of the house and property were made including many interesting items of the time such as a sythe, spinning wheel, wash pot and surveying tools. When all accounting was finished, most of the property went to the widow. This was due to the value placed on items in the inventory and the state ordered widow's portion.
The other brothers and sisters felt that the valuation of the inventory was way too low (and by looking at the inventory, which I have included, I would tend to agree.) The older brothers and sisters thinking that they were due more than the settlement said; went to the house and took what they thought was their fair share.
A law suit was filed by the children of JC and Laura Davis against the estate, stating the settlement was unfair because the property was undervalued. The case was heard and the ruling was that the inventory was a fair valuation of the property. The judge ordered the children of Laura Davis to return all property removed from the homeplace including the fruit taken from the pantry!
Apparently it was a pretty shameful incident in the family, because I have talked to no one of the next generation who had heard of the dispute. I discovered the story in the Estate Settlement papers. The family was able to put the dispute behind them, probably through the good will and good humor that runs in the family; because we are all still speaking to each other!
Perhaps this will appease our ancestors and might become an annual tradition for the family!
The other brothers and sisters felt that the valuation of the inventory was way too low (and by looking at the inventory, which I have included, I would tend to agree.) The older brothers and sisters thinking that they were due more than the settlement said; went to the house and took what they thought was their fair share.
A law suit was filed by the children of JC and Laura Davis against the estate, stating the settlement was unfair because the property was undervalued. The case was heard and the ruling was that the inventory was a fair valuation of the property. The judge ordered the children of Laura Davis to return all property removed from the homeplace including the fruit taken from the pantry!
Apparently it was a pretty shameful incident in the family, because I have talked to no one of the next generation who had heard of the dispute. I discovered the story in the Estate Settlement papers. The family was able to put the dispute behind them, probably through the good will and good humor that runs in the family; because we are all still speaking to each other!My grandfather Leo inherited the property from his mother Martha Jane. I have a number of the items included in the inventory still at the house today; except, I have looked and the fruit is all gone.
In honor of this momentous event in the family history I propose that this year at the reunion all the Leo family descendants bring fruit or vegetables to even up the distribution of property; and perhaps the rest of the family with their 'good will and good humor' could donate the food to Crisis Assistance.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Family Scandal of the Fruit in the Pantry
Does anyone know the contraversy of the fruit in the pantry? It was quite a family scandal! Has anyone ever heard this story? If not I'll publish the full details in a few days.
Friday, January 22, 2010
JC Bernhardt Children at first Reunion
Click on the comment button below the picture and name all the brothers and sisters.Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Addition to the Bernhardt Clan
Alex and John Ketner are expecting another child in July. They have little Christain who will be 2 in July.
Addie Ketner
Addie Ketner
Monday, January 18, 2010
Copies of Old Bernhardt Books
I still have some copies of the reprint of "The Bernhardt Family, 1575 to 1980." I will be happy to mail copies to anyone who sends me $10 per copy - includes postage - and there's a lot of good historical information here which many cousins do not have. It will be a good companion piece to the new history which the committee is currently preparing.
Send $10 to:
Carolyn K. Penny
4105 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
Send $10 to:
Carolyn K. Penny
4105 Pickett Road
Durham, NC 27705
JC Bernhardt's Surveying Tools
This equipment was used by John Crawford when he was County Surveyor for
Rowan County. I bought them from his son Earnest about 1948.
Bill Kluttz
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Bernhardt Family about 1930
Bernhardt Family 1912
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